My mother, Kyong Chang Suk, spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who traveled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding those in need or advocating for peace and justice, I've always felt compelled by my responsibility to one another and to the earth. For much of my life I have expressed this through art and poetry. However, as our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into a new role as a nurse and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care to those most in need.   There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurse's impact, and that is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away when I was fourteen. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship I am filled with immense awe and gratitude. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Reflecting on my mother's death over the past several years as I surpass the age she was when she died has motivated me to keep faith in my future and not be afraid to make bold change. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on a winding life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. Now as I shift towards a new career, I know my diverse experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds, each deserving equal standards of care. After graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, I will work for three years within the university's medical system as part of a loan forgiveness program. It is my hope to eventually work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community. I plan on making a difference throughout my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crises. Scholarships of this kind would be of great assistance in helping me cover substantial living expenses and university fees while I focus on my intensive studies.

My mother, Kyong Chang Suk, spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who traveled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding those in need or advocating for peace and justice, I've always felt compelled by my responsibility to one another and to the earth. For much of my life I have expressed this through art and poetry. However, as our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into a new role as a nurse and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care to those most in need.   There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurse's impact, and that is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away when I was fourteen. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship I am filled with immense awe and gratitude. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Reflecting on my mother's death over the past several years as I surpass the age she was when she died has motivated me to keep faith in my future and not be afraid to make bold change. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on a winding life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. Now as I shift towards a new career, I know my diverse experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds, each deserving equal standards of care. After graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, I will work for three years within the university's medical system as part of a loan forgiveness program. It is my hope to eventually work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community. I plan on making a difference throughout my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crises. Scholarships of this kind would be of great assistance in helping me cover substantial living expenses and university fees while I focus on my intensive studies. It would be an honor to receive support in memory of Sara Jane.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding people in need or advocating for marginalized communities facing injustice, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at this crossroads I'm looking to channel my care into a career in healthcare. As our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into this new role and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship and the generosity of care given to my mother, I am filled with immense awe and appreciation. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. Now as I shift towards a new career after working in the arts, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional life experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. I'll be graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing's ABSN program in 2027, after which I've committed to work for three years within the University's medical system as part of a loan forgiveness program. It is my hope to begin work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community of Rochester, NY. I plan on making a difference through my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crisis. Scholarships of this kind would be of great assistance in helping me cover substantial living expenses and University fees while I focus on my intensive studies. I would be honored to receive financial support in honor of Dashanna K. McNeil, so I may develop into the best nurse I can be.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding people in need or advocating for marginalized communities facing injustice, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at this crossroads I'm looking to channel my care into a career in healthcare. As our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into this new role and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship and the generosity of care given to my mother, I am filled with immense awe and appreciation. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. Now as I shift towards a new career after working in the arts, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional life experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. I'll be graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing's ABSN program in 2027, after which I've committed to work for three years within the University's medical system as part of a loan forgiveness program. It is my hope to begin work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community. I plan on making a difference through my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crisis. Scholarships of this kind would be of great assistance in helping me cover substantial living expenses and University fees while I focus on my intensive studies. I would be honored to receive financial support so I may develop into the best nurse I can be.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through volunteering at homeless and domestic violence shelters, advocating for marginalized communities, or spearheading community projects across the country as an independent artist, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at age 42, I'm beginning my journey into healthcare through the University of Rochester's School of Nursing. As our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into this new role and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship and the generosity of care given to my mother, I am filled with immense awe and appreciation. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Reflecting on my mother's death over the past several years as I surpass the age she was when she died has motivated me to have faith in my future and not be afraid to make bold change. Surviving big upheavals has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. As I shift towards a new career after working for many years in the arts, I know my experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds, each deserving equal standards of care. After graduating in 2027, I've committed to working for three years within the University's medical system as part of a loan forgiveness program. It is my hope to eventually work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community. I plan on making a difference through my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crisis. Scholarships of this kind would be of great assistance in helping me cover substantial living expenses and University fees while I focus on my studies. I would be honored to receive financial support in honor of Debra S. Jackson and her belief in the power of second chances.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding people in need or advocating for marginalized communities facing injustice, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at this crossroads I'm looking to channel my service into a career in the medical field. As our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into this new role and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship and the generosity of care given to my mother, I am filled with immense awe and appreciation. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. Now as I shift towards a new career after working throughout my life in the arts, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. I'll be graduating from the University of Rochester School of Nursing's ABSN program in 2027, after which I've committed to working for three years within the University's medical system as part of a loan forgiveness program. It is my hope to eventually work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community of Rochester, NY. I plan on making a difference through my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crisis. Scholarships of this kind would be of great assistance in helping me cover substantial living expenses and University fees while I focus on my intensive studies. I would be honored to receive financial support in honor of Dashanna K. McNeil, so I may develop into the best nurse I can be.

From an early age I've been interested in nutrition, gardening, and having a positive impact on the environment. These three practices and concerns have become part of my daily routine, keeping me healthy, outside, in shape, and in relationship with the world around me. It is this personal experience that will give me the wisdom and confidence to share knowledge in a thoughtful way to improve patient health outcomes. Changing habits around food is not easy for many reasons including socioeconomic factors and availability of healthy foods. However, I firmly believe that food itself is medicine, and so will do my best to steer patients in the right direction to avoid and manage chronic illness. My most meaningful education about nutrition came from working on a farm for five years in Virginia where we grew all of our own organic food all year long. We grew all your standard veggies like broccoli and tomatoes, had fruit and nut trees, grew wheat, and also raised chickens for meat and eggs. To have a hand in every aspect of one's food, from seed to plate, is a profound experience, and gives one appreciation for how delicious and life-giving fresh, unprocessed food can be. Now that I am not on the farm, I still like to get food from the farmer's market when possible, and at least get plenty of fresh foods and grains at the supermarket to ensure I will be cooking at home the majority of the time. I also garden at the community garden, allowing me to stay connected to nature and my neighbors. Good health habits are something accumulated over time with education, experimentation, and practice. First we must learn there is a better way to care for ourselves. Then we must find which way works for us. Then we must integrate new habits in a way that is sustainable and enjoyable. It's a practice we come to because we want to do what's best for ourselves and the people around us. Oftentimes good lifestyle choices can have multiple benefits, such as how community gardening offers healthy food, community, exercise, and sunshine. Likewise, walking when possible is good exercise, gets you out in the community, saves money on gas, and is beneficial for the environment. I think it may be possible to encourage healthier habits by brainstorming with patients about how they can integrate one or two new habits into their personal routine that will have a beneficial effect. If someone feels better from integrating one new habit, they will be inspired to explore other changes. Most importantly, I don't believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach. No one should be shamed for their life choices. Instead, how can someone be empowered to make healthier choices for themselves? With my diverse background in food and nutrition, it is my hope that I can be an empowering force among patients. It would be an honor to receive the Vnutrition Nursing Scholarship to support my nursing education so that I may support the health of my community.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through 6am breakfast shifts at the local homeless shelter, staffing the domestic violence shelter, or advocating for the protection of indigenous lands, I've always felt compelled by my responsibility to one another and to the earth. For much of my life I also channeled my services through creative projects, art, and poetry. However as our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into a new role as a nurse and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care to those most in need. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer. My mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship I am filled with immense awe and gratitude. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Aside from being a fellow Asian woman immigrant, one of the things that must have impressed upon my mother was the compassionate care she received. At present, as more of our life is mediated by screens and machines, I believe it is essential to double down on what keeps us connected to our humanity. For me, "human touch" is about creating a little more space in an interaction where through listening, eye-contact, affirmation, and compassion, an individual and the depth of their humanity and experience can be seen and offered the respect it deserves. Pivotal moments of birth, healing, and death are experienced in a hospital. It is my hope that as a nurse I can honor the gravitas of these intense moments through my care and witness. Surviving big upheavals as a youth has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one which has made me resilient and devoted to service. As I shift towards a new career, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional life experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. It is my hope to begin work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community in Rochester, NY. It would be an honor to receive financial support in memory of Jeannine Schroeder, so I may focus on my intensive education at University of Rochester and become the best nurse I can be.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding people in need or advocating for marginalized communities facing injustice, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at this crossroads I'm looking to channel my care into a career in the medical field. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight to say goodbye to her life. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship I am filled with immense gratitude. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Aside from being a fellow Asian woman immigrant, one of the things that must have stood out about Sister Maggie was the compassion she offered my mother. As more of our life is experienced through the interface of screens and automation, I believe it is essential to double down on what keeps us connected to our humanity. For me, "human touch" is about creating a little more space in an interaction where through listening, eye-contact, affirmation, and compassion, an individual and the depth of their humanity and experience can be seen and offered the respect it deserves. Pivotal moments of birth, healing, and death are experienced in a hospital. It is my hope that as a nurse I can honor the gravitas of these intense moments through my care and witness. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one which has made me resilient and devoted to service. As I shift towards a new career, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional life experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. It is my hope to begin work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community in Rochester, NY. I hope to make an impact on people's lives through my foundational humanistic approach. It would be an honor to receive financial support in memory of Saraswathy Prabhakaran, so I may focus on my intensive education at University of Rochester and become the best nurse I can be.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it be through feeding people in need or advocating for marginalized communities facing injustice, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at this crossroads I'm looking to channel my care into a career in the medical field. As our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into this new role and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight to say goodbye to her life. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship and the "human touch" given to my mother, I am filled with immense appreciation. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Aside from being a fellow Asian woman immigrant, one of the things that must have stood out about Sister Maggie was her "human touch." As more of our life is experienced through the interface of screens and automation, I believe it is essential to double down on what keeps us connected to our humanity. For me, "human touch" is about creating a little more space in an interaction where through listening, eye-contact, affirmation, and compassion, an individual and the depth of their humanity and experience can be seen and respected. This is something AI could never do. Navigating an institution such as a hospital in a time of distress can be a dehumanizing experience. However a nurse can be one of the one's to bring a "human touch" to a family's experience to affirm that their lives matter. Pivotal moments of birth, healing, and death are experienced in a hospital. It is my hope that as a nurse I can honor the gravitas of these intense moments through my care and witness. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. As I shift towards a new career, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional life experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. It is my hope to begin work in the Emergency Department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community in Rochester, NY. I hope to make an impact on people's lives through my foundational humanistic approach, my own "human touch." It would be an honor to receive financial support in memory of Mary Lou Losinger, so I may focus on my intensive education at University of Rochester and become the best nurse I can be.

My mother Kyong Chang Suk spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals translating the foreign language of doctors, undergoing chemotherapy, sitting with friends and family at her bedside who travelled from across the world to say goodbye. I was six. It is difficult to describe how the loss of a parent imprints upon a child, how grief is a like an immovable stone a tree must nevertheless grow around. Yet it has been these hardships which have tempered my compassion for the suffering of others, compelling me to a life of service. Whether it has been through feeding people in need or advocating for marginalized communities facing injustice, I've always felt responsible to others, especially in their most vulnerable times. Now at this crossroads I'm looking to channel my care into a career in the medical field. As our country faces a growing healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage is impacting the quality of care available to patients, I feel called to step into this new role and gain the expertise necessary to offer compassionate, critical care. There is one nurse in particular who I think of when I consider the depth of a nurses' impact, and this is Sister Maggie. I read about her in my mother's journal, which I discovered as a teenager in the very back of her nightstand drawer after my father passed away. It took many more years to muster the courage to have the journal translated from Korean into English. It was a complete revelation to have this new understanding of who my mother was as a woman, and how hard it was for her at thirty-eight years old to say goodbye to her life and its promise. Of this one nurse, my mother wrote, "I think it's a relief that I get to spend my last days in a place like this. Even the nurses are very kind. My favorite among them is Sister Maggie from China. In about five weeks she will be returning to China. My heart is already sad." When I consider their relationship and the generosity of care given to my mother, I am filled with immense awe and appreciation. It would be an honor to be someone's Sister Maggie. Surviving big upheavals as a girl has sent me on an unconventional life path, but one in which my values have led as a guiding star. Now as I shift towards a new career, I know my diverse interpersonal and professional life experiences will make me a strong and compassionate nurse, capable of relating to people of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, each deserving equal standards of care. It is my hope to begin work in the emergency department and train in addressing the immediate needs of my community. I plan on making a difference throughout my career through my foundational humanistic approach and capacity to respond to crisis. I would be honored to receive financial support in memory of Maxwell Tuan Nguyen, so I may focus on my intensive education and become the best nurse I can be.